Gossip: Arsenal’s Banega talks; City return for defender?

Ian Watson

EVER READY FOR ARSENAL MOVE
With Jack Wilshere leaving Arsenal, most likely to play alongside Mark Noble at West Ham in the first ever Brexit midfield, Unai Emery has turned his attention to strengthening the Gunners’ engine room.

Apparently, Arsenal have already held meetings with Ever Banega’s representatives. Emery coached Banega at Valencia and Sevilla and though the Argentina international is currently at the World Cup, the Daily Star says his agent flew to London on Friday in talks that have been described by Italian journo Nicolo Schira as positive.

Reports earlier in the week suggested the 29-year-old wanted assurances over his role should he move to the Emirates so presumably Emery dangled something in front of Banega’s agent to get him around the table.

 

PEP TO BRING BOATENG BACK
Speaking of reunions, Manchester City apparently fancy one with Jerome Boateng, seven years after selling the Germany defender to Bayern Munich.

United have also been linked with the 29-year-old, but the latest line from Sport Bild places City firmly in the race with PSG.

Boateng, who worked with Pep Guardiola at Bayern, is reportedly available for around £50million though United and City might have trouble tempting him back to Manchester if there are attractive options elsewhere.

When describing the unforgiving nature of the English game prior to international team-mate Leroy Sane joining City, Boateng said: “Some can handle criticism a bit better, but others say: ‘What am I doing here?’ Everything is terrible, even the weather.”

 

AND THE REST
Sevilla will move for Newcastle midfielder Mikel Merino if Banega joins Arsenal…Chelsea will try to cut the cost of sacking Antonio Conte by alleging that he mismanaged the sale of Diego Costa…Mesut Ozil wants the Arsenal No 10 shirt following the departure of Jack Wilshere…Manchester City will open contract talks with Ilkay Gundogan when he returns from the World Cup amid interest from Barcelona…Real Madrid have signed keeper Andriy Lunin as their interest in Manchester Utd’s David de Gea cools…Steven Gerrard wants Roma striker Umar Sadiq at Rangers…Tottenham are linked with a move for Nice striker Alassane Plea…Nottingham Forest hope to sign Watford keeper Costel Pantilimon…PSV Eindhoven winger and Barcelona target Hirving Lozano’s future will be decided after the World Cup…Fulham have made a £10m bid for Southampton left-back Matt Targett.